Maurice Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald, Maurice, d. 1176, Anglo-Norman soldier. He was the son of Gerald, steward of Pembroke castle, and Nesta, daughter of the prince of South Wales. Fitzgerald crossed to Ireland in 1169 to join others in aiding Dermot McMurrough, king of Leinster. He served in expeditions against Dublin and Waterford. He acquired vast landholdings in Ireland and increased them by advantageous marriages of his children. From his sons, Gerald and Thomas the Great, descend the two branches of the Fitzgeralds who became earls of Kildare (through Gerald) and earls of Desmond (through Thomas).